Photos: Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Visits Qom

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali
Khamenei, arrived in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday morning. He later gave a
speech to large numbers of people and clerics. The streets around the holy
shrine of Hazarat Masoume were filled with crowds waiting to greet the
Supreme Leader.

A number of the Assembly of Experts members, Majlis Speaker
Ali Larijani, members of the society of Qom seminary teachers were also present
in the gathering.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
has warned against enemy plots to target the Iranian people and their religion.

Khamenei at the shrine of Massoumeh

"Enemies of the Islamic Revolution who intend to inflict damage on the
revolution have two main targets, including the religion of the people and their
devotion to the revolution," said Ayatollah Khamenei in an address to a huge
crowd of enthusiastic people in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday.

The Leader added that enemies are well aware of the fact that the Islamic
Revolution could not resist against their plots if it were not based on
religion.

"An establishment which is based on religion will not yield to pressure of
enemies and bullying powers," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader reiterated that the Iranian nation has always supported the Islamic
Revolution and said the Islamic establishment could not resist against enemies
if the Iranians did not have a complete presence in all scenes and if there were
a rift between the people and the country's officials.

The Leader pointed to the presence of 40 million Iranians in last year's
presidential election, saying it vaccinated the Islamic Revolution against
social and political microbes and increased the people's insight.

He emphasized that the country's enemies failed to create a rift between the
Iranian nation and the officials of the Islamic establishment.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that enemies were irked by the
presence of 40 million people in the election, adding that all their efforts in
this regard failed.

The Leader downplayed sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its nuclear
energy program and said sanctions were aimed at exerting pressure on the nation
to cause the separation of the people from the Islamic establishment.

"By God's grace, sanctions will have no impact on the Iranian nation," he said.
"Today, Iranians are moving towards a bright future with more progress and will
thwart enemies' plots."

The Leader said enemies are following up two main issues which include Islam
without clergymen and Islam without politics and added enemies know that clerics
play an effective role in the lives of people.

He further added that the country's enemies have raised doubts about religious
values in an attempt to weaken the pillars of people's faith and continued,
"Enemies intend to disappoint people with the country's officials and sow the
seed of pessimism."

Ayatollah Khamenei criticized those who are spreading rumors about the Iranian
government and its achievements, saying, "Such moves are not in line with the
interests of the country's future."

He further urged the Iranian nation to maintain national unity and strengthen
its solidarity with the three branches of the state.